Posts by Paul Johnson (Page 8)

Posts by Paul Johnson (Page 8)

Announcements for Sunday, September 1, 2019

Prayer Meeting – Sunday, September 8, 2019 Please join us in prayer on Sunday starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Meyer’s house. Mom’s Time – Wednesday, September 11 & 25, 2019 Ladies, come join other mom’s every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. for encouragement and prayer at the Meyer’s house.  Please let Roxanne know if you will be joining and needing childcare (which is provided). Creative Stars Fundraiser Thank you!  Your generosity has helped fund the new playground…

Who am I fighting?

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God… — Ephesians 6:12-13 (CSB) How many cosmic powers have you faced this week? My struggle yesterday didn’t feel like it was against cosmic forces. It felt like it was against brake pads. And mice in my basement. And naughty children.…

Depend on yourself?

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. — Psalms 121:1-2 (CSB) On Sundays we regularly sing a song based on this verse. It is a song of dependence on God. Do we need to depend on God today? I often feel pretty self-reliant. I’m an organized person who knows what he’s doing, when he’s doing it, why he’s doing it and how…

The word of the hour

Hebrews 4:12-13 CSB 12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. Every job can be accomplished more quickly if you use…

How do you grow?

I was watering the new grass that I planted recently and was marveling at how hard it seems to keep that young shoot of tender green alive. On one hand it’s easy, they just need soil, sun and water. But, on the other hand too much or too little of any of those will kill them in short order. For example, I can water it too much and drown them or I can water them too little and they get…

Weak and Strong

Last Sunday I spoke about hypocrisy and how easy it is to perform for the opinion of others. I believe that everyone struggles from time to time with hypocrisy but I also think that we can struggle with just feeling like a weak failure of a Christian. This can accompany hypocrisy in that we try to cover our weakness with bravado and extra serving. Or it can attack us on its own, beating us down into inaction by telling us…

Be Transformed!

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. — Romans 12:2 (CSB) We all want to be (or at least should want to be) better versions of ourselves. God has created us in his likeness and to do good works (Genesis and Ephesians). But, we get stuck, a lot. Changing is hard.It’s a good thing that God helps…

An Easter Thought

Judas vs Mary My family and I have developed an Easter tradition where we open a little box each day of Holy Week with an item in it that represents part of the story and we read the corresponding scripture. Yesterday the box held a miniature glass flask and we read a section of Mark. Here’s part of it:Mark 14:8-10She has done what she could; she has anointed my body in advance for burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever the…